ReNew Partnerships Sessions

Presentations by ReNew Partnerships, an organization that works with universities, churches, and ministries to build healthy, biblical multi-ethnic communities

Location

Various campus spaces. See the schedule below.

Registration

All sessions are free, but employee and student registration is encouraged.

Event Description

Survey

Students and employees, if you haven't completed the ReNew survey in preparation for October 22, please take a few minutes to do so. Your feedback is important! The survey is available through September 26.

Schedule - October 22

This one-day opportunity, enriched by Bethel community survey results, will equip students, staff, and faculty with a biblical foundation for cultivating multi-ethnic diversity on campus. In addition to a chapel presentation, three afternoon tracts are available. Light refreshments will be available at each afternoon session, and participants at each session will have a chance to win a $60 Campus Store voucher.

Student Sessions in the Underground 12:30-1:40 p.m.: Is It Biblical to Focus on Ethnic Relations?*
1:50-3 p.m.: Color Brave: What's a Christian College to Do?*The first 15 attendees at the 12:30 session will receive a free box lunch.

Faculty Sessions in Olson Boardroom 12:30-1:40 p.m.: You're invited to join the staff session in Eastlund Room.
1:50-3 p.m.: Writings of Bonhoeffer as a Catalyst for Dialogue
3:10-4:20 p.m.: Act Six: The Implications of Becoming a More Ethnically Diverse Campus

Staff Sessions in Eastlund Room 12:30-1:40 p.m.: We Want to Be Serious about Ethnic Diversity, but What Do We Do?
1:50-3 p.m.: You're invited to join the faculty session in Olson Boardroom.
3:10-4:20 p.m.: Key Questions for Building a Biblical, Multi-Ethnic Campus

Session Descriptions

Chapel in Benson Great Hall10:15-11 a.m.: Turtles: Overcoming Heart Issues That Keep Us from Discussing Ethnic Diversity
When it comes to discussions about ethnic diversity, our natural tendency can be to act like turtles. We pull inside our shell for fear of sounding ignorant, being misunderstood, making mistakes, or feeling awkward. In this presentation, we will focus on heart-level issues that often keep people from wanting to engage with issues of ethnic diversity. We will address biblical principles and practical skills that can help us overcome the "turtle tendency,” engage in cross-cultural relationships, and advocate for Christ-honoring ethnic unity on campus.

Student Session 1 in the Underground12:30-1:40 p.m.: Is It Biblical to Focus on Ethnic Relations?The first 15 attendees will receive a free box lunch.
Is it really biblical to spend time focusing on ethnic relations? Doesn't it do more damage than good to talk about our cultural differences? Shouldn't we just be color blind? In this session, we will seek to find biblical answers to these important questions. We will consider the present ethnic/racial realities in our society and how we can address them in an effective, biblical, and Christ-honoring way.

Student Session 2 in the Underground1:50-3 p.m.: Color Brave: What’s a Christian College to Do? Dr. Joel Pérez will share his journey as a student of color attending a predominantly white Christian institution and how being color blind actually hurts students instead of helps them. The term color blind is often applied to the lack of desire to talk about race and difference. This session will present the case that we as Christians should not be color blind. God has uniquely made each of us, and this is a strength, not something to ignore. Believers need to be color brave and acknowledge and celebrate our differences.

Faculty Session 2 in Olson Boardroom
1:50-3 p.m.: Writings of Bonhoeffer as a Catalyst for Dialogue Cultivating a multi-ethnic Christian campus is exciting, rewarding, strategic...and challenging! To succeed, campus community members must base their efforts on a shared biblical framework. Examining the life and writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) can be a helpful catalyst for dialogue. Bonhoeffer was one of the most respected and influential theologians of the last century. One distinguishing aspect of his life and ministry was his emphasis on the unity of the body of Christ and healthy dynamics within Christian communities. His commitment to the purity and unity of the church and his courageous opposition to the evil policies of Hitler and the Nazis led to his martyrdom at the age of 39. In this session, we will look at excerpts from Bonhoeffer's writings and related Scripture passages that can serve as catalysts for dialogue about cultivating and sustaining a multi-ethnic campus.

Faculty Session 3 in Olson Boardroom3:10-4:20 p.m.: Act Six: The Implications of Becoming a More Ethnically Diverse Campus Dr. Joel Pérez will share about his experience with the Act Six program at George Fox University and the impact the program has had on moving ethnic diversity efforts.

Staff Session 1 in Eastlund Room12:30-1:40 p.m.: We Want to Be Serious about Ethnic Diversity, but What Do We Do?
Many institutions want to get serious about making progress in creating a more inclusive campus, but they often do not know what to do. In this session, Dr. Joel Pérez will provide an effective framework to help guide efforts and offer practical steps for initiating programs that move a campus forward in creating an inclusive community.

Staff Session 3 in Eastlund Room3:10-4:20 p.m.: Key Questions for Building a Biblical, Multi-Ethnic Campus This session will address three questions that often arise when trying to build a healthy, multi-ethnic campus environment: Are we living in a post-racial society? Is color blindness the solution? Does treating everyone equally produce equality and unity? We will explore biblical, effective responses to these questions with an emphasis on the key role that campus staff and administration play in leading change in the area of ethnic diversity.